Leukemia and lupus: Link and research explained
Cancer risk
Symptoms
Seeking medical help
Summary
Leukemia and lupus are both conditions that affect the immune system. Although they are different, they share certain symptoms. A person with lupus may have increased risk of developing leukemia.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. A person's immune system is responsible for protecting the body from infection and disease. Autoimmune conditions affect the immune system, causing it to attack healthy tissue.
Leukemia is cancer of the blood. There are different forms of leukemia. The type a person has is determined by what type of blood cell it affects, as well as its speed of growth.
Some forms of leukemia affect the white blood cells. White blood cells help to fight diseases as part of the immune system. If a person has a problem with their white blood cells, they may be prone to sickness or infection.
Lupus and leukemia have certain symptoms in common. Additionally, some research suggests that there may be a link between the two conditions. Read on to learn more about the relationship between lupus and leukemia, as well as when to see a doctor. AbrahamCertain research suggests that there may be a link between lupus and leukemia. A review from 2018 found that having lupus may increase a person's overall risk of developing cancer. It may also increase a person's risk of specific cancers, including: leukemia
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma
multiple myeloma
cervical cancer
vaginal/vulval cancer
renal cancer
bladder cancer
esophageal cancer
gastric cancer
hepatobiliary cancer
lung cancer
oropharynx cancer
larynx cancer
non-melanoma skin cancer
thyroid cancer
Additionally, research from 2022 noted that autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) may increase a person's risk of leukemia. AIHA is a condition that causes the immune system to destroy red blood cells. A further study from 2022 stated that around 10% of people with lupus develop AIHA.
A study from 2024 noted that there are rare reports of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) occurring alongside lupus. CML is a form of leukemia that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Researchers believe that lupus may increase a person's risk of certain cancers due to its weakening of the immune system. Further research is required to determine the link between lupus and leukemia.
A doctor may use immunosuppressants to treat a person with lupus. Immunosuppressants work by suppressing a person's immune system. This helps to prevent it from damaging healthy tissue.
However, immunosuppressants may reduce how well the immune system works. This may weaken a person's immune system, causing them to become vulnerable to infections.
Information from the American College of Rheumatology notes that the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is used for severe complications of lupus. They also note that this medication may increase a person's risk of certain cancers, including: lymphoma
skin cancer
bladder cancer
Research from 2017 found that the increased cancer risk of cyclophosphamide may occur when it is given at higher doses. Additionally, researchers found that hydroxychloroquine, another immunosuppressant used to treat lupus, may reduce a person's cancer risk when given at low doses.
If a person has lupus, they should speak with their doctor about the risks and benefits of their treatments.
Although lupus and leukemia are different conditions, they do have some overlapping symptoms. These shared symptoms include: fatigue
fever
weight loss
petechiae, which are tiny red dots on the skin
joint pain
swollen glands
dizziness
A person should speak with their doctor if they notice any signs of lupus or leukemia. If a person has lupus, they should speak with their doctor if they notice any new or concerning symptoms. shortness of breath during physical activities
paleness
frequent infections
bruising easily
prolonged bleeding from cuts
frequent or severe nosebleeds
bleeding gums
heavier or more frequent menstrual bleeding
night sweats
enlarged spleen or liver
feeling of pain or fullness below the ribs
wheezing
coughing
painful breathing
Lupus and leukemia are both conditions that affect a person's immune system. If a person has lupus, they may be more likely to develop certain cancers. These may include leukemia.
Researchers are not currently sure what the link is between lupus and leukemia. They believe lupus may increase a person's risk of cancer by weakening the immune system. Additionally, certain treatments for lupus may increase cancer risk.
Both lupus and leukemia share certain symptoms. If a person notices any symptoms of either condition, they should speak with a doctor.
A person with lupus should speak with their doctor if they notice any signs of leukemia, such as prolonged bleeding from cuts.
Leukemia
Lupus
Blood / Hematology
Cancer / Oncology Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. BalajiSubramanian S, et al. A rare case of dual metachronous primary malignancies, chronic myeloid leukemia, and tongue carcinoma in a patient with long-standing systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report and review of literature.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11032168/
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). (2024).
https://rheumatology.org/patients/cyclophosphamide-cytoxan
Guo J, et al. (2020). The relationship between cancer and medication exposure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nested case-control study.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7318532/
Hsu C-Y, et al. (2017). Cumulative immunosuppressant exposure is associated with diversified cancer risk among 14 832 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nested case–control study.
https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article-abstract/56/4/620/2763340?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false
Leukemia. (n.d.).
https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-cancers/leukemia
Leukemia—patient version. (n.d.).
https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia
Lupus. (2024).
https://medlineplus.gov/lupus.html
Medications used to treat lupus. (2023).
https://www.lupus.org/resources/medications-used-to-treat-lupus
Signs and symptoms. (n.d.).
https://www.lls.org/leukemia/acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia/signs-and-symptoms
Song L, et al. (2018). The risks of cancer development in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6282326/
Suzuki E, et al. (2023). Systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome accompanied by mixed-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10522428/
Systemic lupus erythematosus. (2022).
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/systemic-lupus-erythematosus/
Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus). (2022).
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus
Zhang Y, et al. (2022). Hematological malignancies in systemic lupus erythematosus: Clinical characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis—a case-control study.
https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-021-02692-8
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